Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-05-24
Punish the (inilfy.

The highest point in primary election
corruption in this county has been reached
in the iniquitous conduct of the election
officers of the Sixth ward, this city. That
board consisted of Eph. Shaub, Judge: J.
w. Brown and Walter Samson, inspect
ors, ID. Z. Bitner and Frank Calder, clerks.
The act of June 20, 1851, requires that
before entering upon the discharge of their
duties, the election officers shall seyerally
take and subscribe to an oath or ailirma-
tiOn in the presence of each other, to i'm
partially and faithfully perform the duties
OF their places in accordance with the laws
of the state and the regulations of their
party. AS part Regulations must not con-
fiict with state enactments, this practically
means that the laws of the commonwealth
concerning elections must be strictly OBJ
served. The penalty for acting as an cleo
tion officer without being sworn, is not to
exceed two hundred dollars.
Iii alleged against the election board
In the Sixth ward that they were not so
sworn as required. This is susceptible of
easy proof, and in comparison with the
other otfense charged is of minor
importance. That other offense alleged
Is fraud in the discharge of duty, the pun
ishment for which may be found in the
following from the act of June 20, 1851:
II any judge, inspector, clerk or other OH
Ger OF primary election a. aforesaid, Shall
presume to act In such capacity before the
taking and subscribing to the oath or afli rms.
tion required by this act he shall on convic.
tion be fined not excee ing two hundred dol.
lars and u any Judge, inspector, clerk
or other officer, when In the disc.srp
OF his duties ss such, shall wilifully disrs-
gard or violate the provisions of any rule,
duly made by the said - party of -
county Tor the government Of the primary
elections OF the party, he shall on con viction |
be fined not exceeding two hundred dollars |
and II any Judge or inspector of Q primary
election AZ aforesaid shall knowingly reject
the rules OF the said - party, or snail
knowingly receive the vote OF any person or
persons not qualified as aforesaid, shall on
conviction be fined not excseding two hun.
orsd dollars; and any judge, inspector,
a. aforesatd, shaH be guilty Of any wiiifui
fraud in the discharge of has duties bv de- |
ssT0yIag or dcfacing ballots, adding ballots
10 hepott, other than those idw5uiiy poted.
BY ssu0ng the ballot Dor, by false counting.
Cy making false returns, or by any act or
sAtng whatsoever, the person so OTendin1
sAdu De deemed gully of q Tisdemeanor,
ana upon conviction, shall DC fined not ear.
eesdtng five hundred dollars or imprisoned
not exceeding one year, or both, or either, at
~ discretion of the court
One hundred and twelve citizens of the
Sixth ward have solemnly made ali iavit
oefore notary public that at the primary
eseetion on Saturday they voted for John
w. Aentzer fOr prOthOnOtary. The elec.
SION ofiicers declare by their sworn state.
ment that only fifty one votes for Mentzer
were offered. Here is wide discrepancy.
Either seventy-one citizens have solemniy
testified TO Q lie, or the election board are
guilty Of /" making false returns"
II 10 grave problem that now confronts
~ Republican party Of this county. Cor.
guption In its most malignant form has
besa discovered, and among those Of
)ttssrto good Eeputs ~ citizens. The Re.